Description
David Walliams tried to stop the allegations being published. Russell Brand has been sentenced to ten years and six months in prison. What happens next, and what has actually been established in court?
Max Palasi is joined by criminal defence lawyer Marcus Johnstone, managing director of PCD Solicitors, to examine two major stories at very different legal stages.
We begin with the allegations published by ITV News and The Guardian about David Walliams, which he denies. Why did his injunction application fail? What did the judge actually decide? And what would need to happen before published allegations could lead to criminal proceedings?
We also examine confidentiality agreements and NDAs, including the crucial difference between speaking publicly and reporting a suspected crime to the police.
Then we turn to Russell Brand’s criminal trial, his convictions for one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, and his sentence of ten years and six months. We discuss the three counts on which he was acquitted, how historic allegations are investigated, and what a challenge to a conviction or sentence would require.
In this conversation:
* David Walliams’s failed injunction and why publication was allowed
* The distinction between allegations and proven offences
* Privacy, public interest and the court’s consideration of mental health
* What an NDA can and cannot prevent
* Russell Brand’s convictions and acquittals
* Consent, witness evidence and investigations into older allegations
* How Brand’s prison sentence was calculated
* Release on licence and possible appeal routes
* Your questions for Marcus
ABOUT MARCUS JOHNSTONE
Marcus Johnstone is a criminal defence solicitor with more than twenty years of experience. He founded PCD Solicitors in 2020. His work includes serious offence cases, police investigations, trials, prison law and appeals.
MARCUS JOHNSTONE AND PCD SOLICITORS
Professional profile:
https://www.pcdsolicitors.co.uk/our-people/marcus-johnstone/
Official website:
https://www.pcdsolicitors.co.uk/
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@pcdsolicitors
Marcus on X:
https://x.com/majohnstone
Press and media appearances:
https://linktr.ee/pcdpressandmedia
Professional enquiries:
marcus@pcdsolicitors.co.uk
Media enquiries:
media@pcdsolicitors.co.uk
Telephone:
+44 (0)151 705 8488
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